Accessory for a game console controller

ABSTRACT

An accessory for electronic gaming that can receive part of a game console controller. The accessory has one or more actuators for operating one or more press buttons of the controller.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of electronic games and more particularly to an accessory for a game console controller.

It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to games that require a small ball, such as baseball, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only.

BACKGROUND ART

The discussion throughout this specification comes about due to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems by the inventor and, moreover, any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein.

While the present invention will be described with particular reference to sport based electronic games, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is not so limited, and could be used in conjunction with a wide range of electronic games.

Where used herein the term electronic ‘games’ is intended to be interpreted broadly to include virtual reality products including games, exercises and training of all sorts. For example, ‘games’ would include sporting games, competitive games, games of skill, physical exercises, training exercises, coordination training and the like.

The operation of many simple electronic games is based on the use of a controller that communicates user instructions wirelessly via electromagnetic signals to a game console, such as a television game machine or a game platform. The user manually operates buttons on the controller to alter the duration and characteristics of the signals, and thus instructions, communicated to the console. The user's instructions have effect in a virtual game scenario depicted on a screen.

Development of motion detection controllers has led to significant advances and greater complexity in electronic gaming. Motion detection controllers can sense their own position, orientation and/or motion. Many include a three-axis accelerometer to sense motion. In particular, users can communicate instructions not only by pushing buttons, but by horizontal and vertical movement of the controller. As a consequence, game developers have been provided the latitude to create a range of electronic games, that are based on user movement of the controller. This is particularly well suited to sporting games in which the user can participate by moving the controller as if it were a racquet, bat or ball. As a consequence electronic gaming has evolved from a relatively static user experience, to a far more active user experience. Users are able to practice athletic skills in a virtual environment.

Accessories have been developed to further enhance the user experience. U.S. 2011/0034250 describes an interactive sports gaming device comprising a housing for supporting a motion detecting controller. The housing is shaped like a racquet, club or bat to give the user a more authentic gaming experience. The housing could, for example, comprise all, or a part of a golf club, baseball bat, hockey stick, tennis racquet, lacrosse stick, badminton racquet, cricket bat, fencing sword, squash racket, croquet mallet or the like.

In addition to racquets, clubs, bats and the like, ball accessories have also been developed. U.S. 2011/0034224 and U.S. 2010/0304873 describes a device comprising a spherically shaped housing which can fully enclose a motion detecting controller. The spherically shaped housing comprises two hemispheres that can be disengaged to access an inner cavity shaped to snugly receive the controller. The housing can be created to replicate any desired type of spherical ball such as a bowling ball, basketball or football. During the electronic game, the user puts their hand(s) directly on the ball accessory rather than the game controller.

U.S. 2009/0209346 relates to a video game accessory having a housing shaped like a projectile, such as a football, for fully enclosing a motion detecting controller.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an accessory that incorporates a game controller to improve the user gaming experience.

A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the related art.

It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems.

In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided an accessory for electronic gaming that can receive part of a game console controller and having one or more actuators for operating one or more press buttons of the controller.

In a second aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided an accessory for electronic gaming that can receive part of a game console controller, the accessory comprising a housing having a substantially spherical outer surface, and a diametric slot adapted to removably receive part of the controller, and one or more actuators corresponding to one or more controller push buttons.

Preferably the outer surface of the housing corresponds generally in size to a ball that would fit in a user's hand or fist. When the user inputs game instructions by swinging, rotating or other movement, their direct grip on the accessory provides a more realistic experience. Suitable balls would include, for example, a cricket ball, baseball or tennis ball. In addition the outer surface may have pattern, ornamentation or texture that corresponds to the look and feel of the relevant type of ball.

The diametric slot allows part of the controller to be inserted in the housing and positioned such that the actuators on the housing can operate the push buttons on the controller. The interior surface (or surfaces) of the housing that defines the diametric slot may include gripping means, such as foam pads, to help retain the housing on the controller and stop them sliding apart if used during a particularly active electronic game. Alternatively or in addition, the interior surface (or surfaces) may include a partial lining of soft material such as rubber, or some other protection to avoid scratching or damage to the controller.

Of course, accessories of this type often include a wrist strap to ensure that the accessory is not thrown far from the user in the event that the controller or accessory slips from the user's hand.

The actuators are preferably manually operated devices such as press rod assemblies. Typically the actuator comprises buttons on the outer surface of the accessory that can be manually pressed by the user to operate the push buttons of the controller. Optimally the actuator buttons correspond in both function and position to the push buttons on the controller so that the user does not have to re-learn or change the way they issue instructions via the controller to the console. Hence the user can hold the ‘ball’ shaped housing in one hand, using their fingers to press the actuator buttons on the end of the press rod assemblies to operate the push buttons without losing their functions.

In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of playing an electronic game including the step of locating a game console controller in an accessory according to the present invention.

Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention.

In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that the controller does not have to be completely enclosed within the accessory to provide a realistic user experience. For example, the controller may be partially enveloped by the accessory. This opens up the opportunity for game users to have the feel of a smaller sized sporting ball within their hand, such as a cricket ball, baseball or tennis ball.

Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following:

-   -   An enhanced gaming experience;     -   A wider range of games that can be the subject of enhanced         gaming experience; and     -   Improved and direct control of push buttons on the controller.

Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an accessory for electronic gaming according to the present invention viewed from the top (FIG. 1( a)) and from the bottom (FIG. 1( b));

FIG. 2 illustrates one generally hemispherical shaped half of the accessory of FIG. 1( a);

FIG. 3 illustrates the other generally hemispherical shaped half of the accessory of FIG. 1( b);

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a game console controller which is partially received within the accessory of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a rear view (FIG. 5( a)) and a front view (FIG. 5( b)) of the game console controller of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 the accessory (1) for electronic gaming according to the present invention comprises a housing (3) having a substantially spherical outer surface, and a diametric slot (5) adapted to removably receive part of a game console controller (10). The interior surfaces of the housing (3) that define the diametric slot (5) may include gripping means to help retain the housing (3) on the controller and stop them sliding apart if used during a particularly active electronic game. Alternatively or in addition, the interior surfaces may include rubber pads to avoid scratching or damage to the controller (10).

In this embodiment, the outer surface of the housing (3) corresponds generally in size to a ball that would fit in a user's hand or fist. FIGS. 2 and 3 show the accessory (1) separated into two halves each of which comprises a generally hemispherical part of the housing (3 a, 3 b).

At the outer surface of the housing (3) can also be seen one or more actuators corresponding to one or more push buttons (7 a to 7 f) on the console controller.

The spherical outer surface can simulate a game ball, such as a cricket ball, baseball or tennis ball. The outer surface may have pattern, ornamentation or texture (not shown) that corresponds to the look and feel of the relevant type of ball.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the diametric slot (5) allows part of the controller (10) to be inserted in the housing (3) and positioned such that the actuators (7 a to 7 f) on the housing (3) can operate correspondingly placed push buttons on the controller (10). Most controllers (10) have an infrared source/sensor at one end for game play and navigation through menus. Importantly this source/sensor remains fully uncovered and operative when located in the accessory of the present invention. Use of the accessory of the present invention also accommodates add-ons for the controller. For example, the Wii remote controller may be fitted with a Wii Motion Plus dongle to add extra sensitivity when certain types of software are in use. The actuators (7 a to 7 f) are preferably manually operated devices such as press rod assemblies, terminating at buttons on the outer surface of the accessory (1). Optimally the actuator buttons correspond in both function and position to the push buttons on the controller (10) so that the user does not have to re-learn or change the way they issue instructions via the controller to the console. Hence access to all buttons on he controller is maintained either using the mechanically operated buttons on the ‘D-pad’, ‘A’ and ‘B’ buttons or direct contact with the controller (10) with the ‘power’, ‘−’, ‘+’, ‘Home’ and ‘1’ and ‘2’ buttons.

Hence the user can hold the ‘ball’ shaped housing (3) in one hand, using their fingers to press the actuator buttons on the end of the press rod assemblies to operate the push buttons without losing their functions. This opens up the opportunity for game users to have the feel of a smaller sized sporting ball within their hand, such as a cricket ball, baseball or tennis ball.

At the end of the electronic game playing the user can easily disengage the controller (10) by sliding it out of the accessory, without needing to open it up.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

“Comprises/comprising” and “includes/including” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, ‘includes’, ‘including’ and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”. 

1. An accessory for electronic gaming that can receive part of a game console controller and having one or more actuators for operating one or more press buttons of the controller.
 2. An accessory for electronic gaming according to claim 1 wherein the housing has a substantially spherical outer surface, and a diametric slot adapted to removably receive part of the controller.
 3. A method of playing an electronic game including the step of locating a game console controller in an accessory according to claim
 1. 